20: From Stressed-Out Special Ed Teacher to Online Dyslexia Educator with Jennie Sjursen
Jennie Sjursen is a former special education teacher who turned her passion for helping dyslexic students into a private dyslexia practice called Literacy Untangled. She is passionate about helping students with dyslexia and has extensive training in Orton-Gillingham.
In this conversation, Jennie shares her journey from being a stressed-out teacher to starting her own online business.
By leveraging her expertise, she has been able to reach more students and make a difference in their lives. She discusses the challenges she faced in building Literacy Untangled and her plans to scale her business by creating an online course to help parents navigate the education system and support their dyslexic children.
Tune in to learn about offering one-on-one services as an online business owner, how to determine the right prices for your services, as well as ample advice for embracing uncertainty as an aspiring teacherpreneur!
Connect with Jennie Sjursen:
Key Takeaways:
- (02:20) Jennie’s teaching career and how stress led her to start an online business
- (04:40) Jennie’s business structure and income sources
- (06:00) Transitioning from one-on-one sessions to an online course
- (12:30) Advice for teachers looking to start an online business
- (15:15) Pricing your services and making more money compared to teaching
- (22:30) Giving your business time to grow and getting comfortable with uncertainty
- (24:20) Literacy Untangled
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Empowering Families Online: A Dyslexia Specialist’s Path to Building a Profitable Business
In today’s episode, we have a special guest, Jennie Sjursen from Untangling Dyslexia, who shares her journey from being a special education teacher to building a successful online business.
Join us as Jennie discusses her transition, the challenges she faced in the traditional classroom, and how she found fulfillment and freedom through her online business.
We dive into the importance of leveraging your skills, the potential of online business, and the power of scaling your impact through digital courses.
Get ready to be inspired and learn how to create a profitable business that aligns with your passion, all while making a positive difference in the lives of others.
Setting the Stage
Jennie started her journey as a special education teacher in self-contained classrooms, providing support to students with dyslexia. She quickly realized that there was more she could do to address the specific needs of dyslexic students.
After receiving training in Orton Gillingham, Jennie knew she wanted to make an impact by offering specialized help to dyslexic students and their families.
The Shift to an Online Business
Relocating from Maryland to Florida gave Jennie the flexibility to explore new avenues. Recognizing the potential of an online business, she decided to take her dyslexia practice digital.
This transition not only allowed her to work from anywhere but also aligned with her vision of reaching a wider audience and helping more students with dyslexia.
The Power of 1-on-1 Services
Jennie’s online business initially focused on providing 1-on-1 services, leveraging her expertise to cater to individual students’ needs. She discovered the value of building strong relationships with her clients and gaining an in-depth understanding of their challenges.
However, she soon realized the limitations of scaling her business solely through 1-on-1 sessions.
Transitioning to Scalable Solutions
To overcome the limitations of 1-on-1 sessions and extend her reach, Jennie decided to create an online course for parents.
With her background in special education, she understood the importance of empowering parents with the knowledge and tools they need to support their dyslexic children effectively.
By offering a digital course, Jennie can provide valuable resources to a larger audience without compromising the quality of her instruction.
The Freedom of an Online Business
One of the main benefits of running an online business, as highlighted by both Heather and Jennie, is the freedom it affords.
Unlike traditional teaching roles, an online business allows educators to structure their work around their lives. Jennie’s example of being able to work from Colorado while spending time with her niece epitomizes this newfound flexibility and work-life balance.
Jennie Sjursen’s journey from special education teacher to successful online business owner demonstrates the immense potential for teachers seeking alternative avenues to utilize their expertise.
Her shift towards personalized 1-on-1 services and the subsequent decision to create a digital course exemplifies the scalability and impact that an online business can achieve.
For educators who yearn for a more fulfilling and flexible career, the story of Jennie Sjursen is a testament that there is more than one way to be a teacher.
With determination, passion, and a knack for leveraging digital tools, educators can build profitable businesses that make a lasting difference in the lives of students and their families.